We have a large homeless population here in Santa Barbara because of the climate. And there's a LARGE amount of EXTREME wealth here. I'm always shocked at people's cold/indignant, disgusting responses to the homeless. Contrary to popular, ignorant belief, most of them DO NOT have a choice.

When I see them enter a restaurant, I do the same and I do it as unobtrusively as possible.

I give food and money whenever I have a chance. I used to only give food, because I didn't want them to spend the money on booze or drugs or smokes. Then I thought, if I were homeless? I'd want to be drunk.

The last time you wrote about a homeless man, you wrote about the missed opportunity to teach your children something.

I am so pleased that the opportunity wasn't missed again. You and your husband did a great thing. I am glad that I can say I know someone like you. Thank you for being the kind hearted woman that you are!

It's too bad that, out of everyone in the restaurant, only K thought to do something to help that man. But what a beautiful lesson for your children (and everyone who witnessed what happened). Keep paying it forward!

Of course, I am impressed by you and K, but I'm also impressed by the manager. There are a number of places in this city where people will kick a homeless person out of their establishment. I am a timid person and I kick myself for not speaking up when they do. I do not return to the restaurant, but I think that, from now on, I will make a point of explaining to the staff exactly what the reason for my decision is.

See, this is why I love you - most of the time you have me laughing my a** off - which I appreciate so much. And then every once in a while, when you're least expecting it, you'll post something beautiful like this. Awesome!

That post by Jen was a great one. And thank you for sharing this story. You guys DID do a good thing, and I'm pleased the manager recognized it and recognized his own inaction. I bet the other diners did too. And now we bloggers can think about this if/when we're in a similar situation.

I was raised to run away from grown men, and I've often felt like that manager because I ignored someone just out of instinct. Your entire family freakin' rocks. I told Charnas if you two ever meet, I want your autograph.

Good for all of you! I believe we have a moral obligation to help those that we can... your family did a beautiful thing and you never know what chain of kindness you set off amongst the other diners who saw you act that night.

Oh, you guys did so well. On all levels. Teaching your children, opening the manager's eyes (though it sounds, to his credit, as if they were ready to open anyway), and, most importantly, giving food to someone who needed it.

Thanks for sharing this. It reminds me to teach some of these lessons to my own kids.

Oh wow. Good for you and K. Why is it so hard for all of us to do these things? I'm a big coward. I'll give money every year--a fair amount of money--by writing cheques, but I steer clear of the smelly people my money is given to help. And that makes me a real shmuck.

You made me cry at work.But you did a wonderful thing. I wouldn't have taken the gift certificates, either, in fact if I saw the guy outside I would have given him those, too so he could eat for the next couple days, or at least the following day. I gave a homeless man my whole ashtray's worth of change (which is a lot of change) who was standing outside on the side of the highway exit, who everyone was ignoring and I cried after I did that, too. I just wish there were something more I could do...I wish it were all different...HUGS to you and Kevin. You are wonderful people.

I can't imagine what that would be like. To be so hungry and physically uncomfortable and yet to know that it wasn't enough to inspire compassion in ANYONE..except for your family. That people would rather see him walk back outside so taht their dining experience wasn't compromised by his hard luck.

That was a beautiful post and shows what good people you and K are. Thank you for sharing this story I hope it inspires someone to help someone else out, who might not be able to help themselves. I know it has inspired me.

That was a good thing you did. You never know what brought that man to be in the position he was in. It's sad to think that as a society we throw away enough food to feed a small country every year. Sad sad sad.

Oh, God. How many others must there be who can't sit down in a warm place to eat because most of the customers resent the fact that a person has no way of taking a shower and putting on some clean clothes? Bless you both for being braver and kinder than most.

Ok, I pottied before I read this thinking I was going to pee in my pants a little. But oh no, what I need is a tissue.And you and that K-man of yours...I just want to hug you 'til your eyes bug out a little. Just a little. Not too much.I wonder though, why the manager didn't offer the gift certificates to the man? Hm.

Warmth, indeed...and that warmth is exactly what it's all about--life...being on this earth...being human and making a difference in someone's life.

At the end of the day, those to whom we connect are impacted, and it spreads outward like ripples on a pond. Interestingly, unlike a pond, those ripples actually grow stronger when they being to intersect with other ripples.

Thank you for putting this wonderful snapshot of humanity (and of your family's wealth of generosity) to words.

Some people in the world are fortunate. Others are not. Those who are fortunate should remember that we all have a heart, a soul, and feelings.One of my favorite homeless men when i lived in a larger city would sit out in front of a church which was on my way to work. I started to give him an apple each morning as I walked by...we had small chit chat. Then one morning he said, "I have something for you." He pulled out a chocolate bar and insisted that i take it. He was more happy that he could give something to me.

Sad and interesting story. That WAS really generous of you guys. I wish I could say that I would have done the same. I'm not sure if I would have jumped right to action. Good for you. I am sure you really blessed him.

I think I forget, when i see the homeless guys around here, that most used to be guys who went to restuarants regularly, enjoying meals with friends and family, relaxing with a cup of coffee, lingering at the table. And once you are homeless, so many things become off limits or out of reach. After awhile it must be all surreal and you don't fit anywhere.It is so hard to come back from homelessness without lots of support.

this post was wonderful--the way you described the man I could feel his confusion.

I recall seeing so many homeless men camping out around 'Big Fig' a tree in Santa Barbara --this was a long while back. I was with a friend and he wanted to go and talk with the men, and so we did, he did --I just stood there because the men seemed embarrassed to make eye contact with me, many ignored my friend too, rolling over on their stomachs, facing the ground, or curling into fetal positions. I crossed the street to wait as my friend talked with 3 or 4 guys at length. He ended up giving them all of the cash he had on him (which was considerable since he was on vacation)